Thousands Celebrate Second Sunday Streets of 2011 on the Great Highway

An estimated 10,000 people celebrated Sunday Streets on the Great Highway and Golden Gate Park yesterday, enjoying six miles of car-free space from Stanyan Street to Sloat Boulevard. Sunny skies and calmer winds blessed the crowds of bicyclists, skaters and walkers, some of whom discovered Sunday Streets for the first time.

“Overall, it was a spectacular day,” said Sunday Streets coordinator Susan King. “It’s a great long route.”

One of the highlights included a few Guiness World Records attempts by a group of skaters led by the one and only “Godfather of Skate” David Miles. The Richmond District Blog has a recap and video.

Sunday Streets returns May 8th for a day of fun along the popular Mission District route on Valencia and 24th Streets. More info at Sunday Streets, and more photos below the break.

You couldn't have asked for a better day.

Ridin' high.

"The HiWatters" perform on the Great Highway, with the center median as the stage.

"This reminds me of the way San Francisco used to be," said Manual, 70, of Pacifica, riding up front in the red, white and blue jacket. He was recalling his early life in SF in the 1940s when the streets weren't as clogged with cars.